Certain unfilled plastic materials such as Nylon and Acetal have low coefficients of friction and low wear rates when run against mating metal surfaces. Wear performance of these polymers can be further enhanced by including additives such as PTFE and graphite in their formulations.
Wear behavior is very application-specific. Changes in the mating surface, applied loads, or sliding velocity can greatly influence the wear performance of a plastic part.
Acetal
High strength, stiff, low friction engineering plastic with good wear properties.
CE Canvas Phenolic
DuPont™ Vespel® Polyimide
Extremely high temperature creep resistant plastic with excellent friction and wear characteristics.
LE Linen Phenolic
A composite sheet material that consists of electrical grade phenolic resin impregnated into layers of linen fabric.
Nylon
PAI
Extremely strong, stiff, dimensionally stable plastic material often used in elevated temperature environments.
PBT
Strong, stiff plastic, excellent machining characteristics, bearing and wear, and chemical resistance.
PPS
Plastic material with excellent chemical and corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures.
PTFE
Low friction engineering plastic with outstanding chemical, high temperature, and weathering resistance.
UHMW
Extremely tough abrasion resistant, low cost plastic, used for a wide range of wear applications.